Reunification Outcomes in California

1. Reunification Outcomes in California California Department of Social Services Children’s Services Operations and Evaluation Presented to the Child Welfare Council on December 12, 2012 Revised on February 15, 2013 Based on feedback for clarity

2. Goals • To provide baseline data on the number of children served in the Family Maintenance service component of the Child Welfare System: • The provision of these services both before and/or after being served in Family Reunification service component of the Child Welfare System • To provide baseline data on the number of children served in foster care under the Family Reunification service component of the Child Welfare System • To understand which populations achieve better reunification outcomes within our current Child Welfare System

3. Family Reunification Pathways Return home Removal from home Case End Case Start Pre-Placement Family Maintenance Family Reunification Services Post-Placement Family Maintenance Services to prevent removal Services to stabilize families post-reunification to prevent re-entry into foster care Services to promote safe and timely reunification

4. How many children have families who are receiving Family Reunification Services?

5. How soon do children reunify with their families? • Of those children who entered foster care for the first time (approximately 23,000) in 2011 and 2010, we can expect that: • 26% of children reunified within six months • 43% reunified within one year, • 62% will reunify within two years, • 64% will reunify within three years or more (Multi State Foster Care Data Archive, Chapin Hall).

6. How many children re-enter care following reunification with their families? Eleven percent of children who reunified with their families in Federal Fiscal Year 2011 re-entered foster care within 12 months. Infants were more likely than any other age group (17%) to re-enter foster care within 12 months following reunification. Children placed in group care (19%) and foster family homes (15%) were more likely to re-enter foster care within 12 months following reunification. Children placed in relative care were least likely to re-enter the system. Infants who entered foster care for the first time and who were placed in foster family homes are at greatest risk of re-entry; nearly 23% experienced a subsequent removal.

7. Child Welfare Sample • 31,771 children who have reunified at least once in the last year. • 45% of children were receiving services through an open case plan as of November 30, 2012 • Age at first case opening: • 0–5 years old - 51% • 6-10 years: 24% • 11-17 years: 25% • Gender: 48% female • Race: 44% Latino, 30% White, 20% Black, 3% Asian American, 2% American Indian.

8. What combination of services (via Service Component) did families receive? Return home (31,771) Removal from home Case Start Case End 51% Post-Placement Family Maintenance Family Reunification Family Reunification Pre-Placement Family Maintenance Post-Placement Family Maintenance 23% 15% Family Reunification Family Maintenance 9%

9. Definitions Successful reunification – Cases that resulted in reunification, 50% of the total sample Unsuccessful reunification – Reunification was attempted, but parental rights were eventually terminated and children experienced multiple re-entries, 15% of the total sample In Progress – Families have an open case plan in Family Reunification or Family Maintenance, 34% of the total sample

10. Effects of Family Stabilization Services • Provision of Post-Placement FM services result in: • Fewer re-entries into care • Shorter stays in foster care • Greater chance of successful reunification: • Families who received family reunification services only and did not receive family maintenance services after foster care, 17% unsuccessful reunification • Families who received family reunification services and family maintenance services after foster care, 3% unsuccessful reunification

11. Factors Associated with Successful Reunification • Provision of Post-Placement Services • Reasons children were placed into foster care: • When children were removed due to physical or emotional abuse, the system is more successful in helping parents develop positive parenting skills. • The system is less successful in helping parents overcome incapacities or issues (e.g., mental/physical health, substance abuse) that led to neglect or abuse of their children. • Demographic characteristics • The system is most successful in reunifying Asian America/Pacific Islander families; and • least successful in reunifying American Indian families.